nitto nt01 Review

According to some, the Nitto NT01 is the tire that every track junkie is supposed to love. It's common opinion that the NT01 is a clear cut above most track day alternatives, and the eventual go-to tire for intermediate and advanced track enthusiasts.

We're on our second set of NT01 and have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Nitto's fastest... Here's why.

On the Road (dry conditions only)

To be fair, the NT01 is a "D.O.T.-Compliant" track tire. What this means is that while it's road legal, Nitto makes no claim as to its on-road compliance and comfort. Actually, Nitto will tell you that the NT01 is noisy, not particularly comfortable, and its wet condition capability is limited. (Yup.)

That fact becomes apparent just a few wheel revolutions into your trip when the noise begins. Depending upon the road pavement characteristics, speed, and sound deadening properties of your vehicle, that noise will range from annoying to excruciating. At certain times it's not just that the the NT01 is audible, but physical. That "hummm" reverberates within the deep recesses of your skull (we can still hear it, we think).

Nitto NT01

Okay, you might think that you can just turn up the radio a bit then... nope. Enhanced sound systems and aftermarket exhausts bow at the altar of the NT01 hummm.

So if you're thinking about driving to and from the track with the NT01, and the trip is of any notable distance, we would advise you to, well, be advised, or reconsider.

Comfort, or ride quality is low as would be expected. We don't think that the sidewalls actually have any give whatsoever.

We've always found the grip to be adequate straightaway. Certainly the NT01 needs some heat to function at full capability at the track, but they're not unavoidable slippery when cold on the street and driven responsibly.

But really, the NT01 probably shouldn't be used regularly on the street unless all vehicle occupants have noise cancelling headphones (not recommended) and you're looking at Atacama Desert likelihood of precipitation.

​In the Wet

Euphemistically speaking, the NT01 is lively on a wet track. More to the point, with any treadwear they're hazardous. Even with full tread we wouldn't advise NT01 wet track/road use unless you're very comfortable in an oversteer posture.

The Nitto NT01 is simply not a tire for rainy conditions. Basically any street performance tire is superior in this department.

NT01 Track Performance

Okay, this is the context in which the NT01 is supposed to shine, where it makes all of the indicated deficiencies and limitations worth enduring.

In terms of sheer grip it's all there no doubt. We found the NT01 to be between 0.5-1 second faster per lap than extreme performance summer alternatives like the Hankook Ventus R-S3 (around a 2 mile road course).

That said, our take is that the NT01 is a bit of a blunt instrument, and the experience from the driver's seat is numb. It lacks the feedback and sharpness of the aforementioned Hankook, for example. We've tried them high pressure, low pressure, hot days, temperate days, and everywhere in between, and never found conditions and settings in which they really come alive with feedback (stock suspension and coilovers as well).

And in some applications, that almost unyielding grip and lack of accessible slip angle is not necessarily ideal. Some might find it challenging to get a lower hp car to rotate through corners with the NT01.

When traction does break, you better be on your toes. It's not that it occurs entirely without warning, but the breakaway characteristics are quite sharp and drastic as compared to alternatives. The Nitto NT01 is not a tire for track beginners.

Nitto NT01 tread (new)

Conclusion (Addendum below)

If we were selecting from a range of D.O.T. legal and extreme performance summer tires for the purposes of a timed event, then the Nitto NT01 probably lands at the top of our list.

For track day regulars who aren't focused on every tenth, but rather look to enhance their track experience, we don't think the NT01 is necessarily the best option.

Nitto has represented the NT01 accurately and likely wouldn't be surprised by much of what is expressed in this review. We could accept all of its on-road and wet condition limitations, but the numb attributes on track have colored our opinion of the NT01 more than anything else.

We'll be the first to admit, however, that ours is not a particularly common opinion. Every HPDE regular should probably give the Nitto NT01 a try for themselves.

For lap times: 10/10For fun: 7/10

Nitto NT01 Review Addendum

We’re now toward the tail end of our second set of Nitto NT01.

And while we’d say that the performance and mediocre “feel” characteristics described above remain accurate, we’d be lying if we told you that these tires haven’t grown on us over the last couple of seasons.

For one thing, the NT01 is tough as nails. This tire can take an absolute beating lap after lap, session after session, track day after track day, and keep delivering the goods. We’ve mistreated ours to the best of our ability, but they’re no worse for the wear. And unlike other tires in the category, as far as we can tell the Nitto NT01 simply doesn’t “heat cycle out.” They’re good until they’re unusable (tire cords tend to compromise lateral grip). That’s an uncommon tire characteristic.

Obviously in the worn and abused state pictured here in the right margin, wet condition performance is nil. (Although the Sebring wood chips may contribute some grip.) But then again, the tire didn’t really start with any semblance of wet performance anyways, so nothing lost.

Nitto NT01

The NT01 is noisy, not well-rounded, and lacks great feedback and feel.

…but damn it delivers grip and is undeniably fast. Its durability is remarkable. And because of the “good to the cords” characteristic, it has to be said that it’s a high value tire as well.

Oh, and one more note – we’ve used them in temperatures ranging from mid-40’s to mid-90’s. With some caution and coaxing (in the cooler temps) and pressure adjustments, the NT01 works well throughout that range of temperatures without much hassle. The same cannot be said for other track tires (see Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R).

We’re going to try something else soon enough, but we may very well come back to the Nitto NT01 after all.